Galatasaray is set to visit the Rize City Stadium on Sunday to face Caykur Rizespor in a crucial Turkish Super Lig match. The defending champions aim to secure a win that would solidify their position at the top of the league table. Currently, Galatasaray holds a three-point lead over their closest rivals, Fenerbahce, while Rizespor finds itself in 12th place following a disappointing stretch of results.
Match Preview: Caykur Rizespor vs Galatasaray
Galatasaray began their 2026 campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Gazientep, which gave Fenerbahce a chance to challenge for the lead. However, the team quickly bounced back, achieving victories against Fatih Karagumruk (3-1) and Kayserispor (4-0). Although both wins came against lower-ranked teams, these results have reinstated Galatasaray’s momentum in the title race. A significant factor is their three-point advantage, combined with a superior goal difference, as they head into a series of vital domestic fixtures before facing Juventus in the Champions League playoff.
Current Form
Despite their recent successes, coach Okan Buruk is troubled by the team’s defensive lapses. In their last nine matches across all competitions, Galatasaray managed only one clean sheet, achieved against Kayserispor. On the other hand, Rizespor has also struggled defensively, having gone through seven matches without a clean sheet. Their last win came on December 17, 2025, when they triumphed 5-2 over Gazientep. Since then, they have drawn twice and lost four matches.
Caykur Rizespor Recent Performance
- Last Six Matches: L L L D D D
- Super Lig Form: D W L L D D
In their most recent outing, Rizespor managed a 2-2 draw against Istanbul Basaksehir. They followed that performance with a 1-1 draw against Beyoglu Yeni Carsi in the Turkish Cup, further highlighting their struggles to find the net at home.
At the Rize City Stadium, only 10 goals have been scored in 10 Super Lig matches this season, indicating a challenging environment for the home team.
Team News
Recep Ucar, Rizespor’s manager, is expected to revert to a lineup similar to the one that faced Istanbul Basaksehir. Valentin Mihaila, who scored in the last match, is likely to maintain his place in the starting eleven. Meanwhile, Adedire Mebude may return to the bench after starting in the Cup. Ahmed Kutucu and Mauro Icardi are set to feature after scoring recently, while Noa Lang and Victor Osimhen are poised to start.
Caykur Rizespor’s potential lineup includes:
- Canpolat; Sahin, Mosci, Akaydin, Hojer; Antalyali, Laci; Olawoyin, Milhaila, Zeqiri; Sowe
For Galatasaray, Mario Lemina will miss the match due to suspension, while Leroy Sane is sidelined with injury. The team could field:
- Cakir; Sallai, Sanchez, Bardakci, Elmali; Ayhan, Torreira; Akgun, Sara, Lang; Osimhen
Match Prediction: Caykur Rizespor vs Galatasaray
Based on their performances and current form, Galatasaray is favored to win this match, with a projected scoreline of Caykur Rizespor 1 – 3 Galatasaray. Rizespor’s recent draw against Istanbul Basaksehir might indicate an improvement in confidence. However, Galatasaray’s superior quality makes them the likely victors in this encounter.
